It’s the current staple of hip fashion bloggers, red carpet-strolling celebrities and groomed businesswomen. Meet the most versatile model in the seasonal bag of tricks – the leather messenger bag.

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This cross-body carryall has graduated from functional accessory to a fully-fledged fashion sidekick. The messenger fills that gap between dainty clutch and roomy tote, with a chic urban edge that translates from casual daywear to relaxed evening style.

 

The go-to bag of the season has earned its style stripes thanks to its practical design fused with cool fashion credentials. Slicker than a satchel, more hip than a briefcase and with a design that’s guaranteed to go the distance each season. Plus messengers can be slung over the shoulder, balancing the weight and leaving the wearer completely hands-free – ideal for catching up on emails, browsing easily on shopping trips, or juggling the coffee/lunch run.

 

But which messenger will make its mark on your style? Luxury designers including Givenchy, Mulberry, Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs have all jumped on the trend, and cross-body bags were sported on the runways of New York and London Fashion Week this season. The messenger bag is no longer relegated to menswear, with high street to high-end brands offering an array of options for accessory addicts.

 

Not all women’s messenger bags are created equal – here’s a quick guide to the leading designs:

 

  • Leather messenger bags: compact, classy and crafted from luxury materials, this style is the queen of all messengers. Wear if your wardrobe is premium and you view designer handbags as a fashion investment.

 

  • The canvas messenger: the cool geek-chic member of the messenger family, this style evolved from the traditional bicycle courier bags and is roomy enough to hold laptops and documents. This is the one for you if your style veers towards sports-luxe and you want one bag to race around with from morning to night.

 

 

  • One bag, two ways messenger: cleverly-designed with detachable straps converting from shoulder bag to clutch. Perfect for social scene regulars and women seeking one bag to take them from the office to evening drinks.

 

  • The hardware handbag: the messenger gets tough, adorned with studs, buckles, and chain handles. Team with elegant evening gowns to give an edge, or laid-back leather trousers and tees for a hip indie style.

 

As well as what to match them with, style mavens are showing us how to perfect the art of messenger-toting. Fashion bloggers have a penchant for shrugging off the straps and tucking the bag under their arms as an oversized clutch. Elegant wearers stick to one shoulder, keeping the bag close to their side. Casual bag carriers go cross-body with the messenger sitting low on their backs.

 

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For further sartorial inspiration, look to these celebrity fans of the accessory trend. Jessica Alba is a huge fan of the messenger style, especially with two young kids – hers doubles as a nappy bag! Kate Bosworth keeps one close to her side, teaming with washed-out denim shirts or picking styles with a touch of fringing as a festival accessory. Younger starlets like Dakota Fanning go for the urban vibe with a leather messenger bag, bomber jacket and sneakers. And blogging influencers Susie Bubble and Elin Kling are both self-confessed messenger bag lovers; Susie choosing bright eclectic designs, and Elin opting for elegant neutral numbers to match her look. The beauty of a leather messenger bag – it will never date. The style may be experiencing a current resurgence in fashion circles, but the messenger bag has been on the scene for years and will continue to be reinvented by luxury designers and high street brands for seasons to come. Trust us, and invest in a leather version that will get even better with age – your wardrobe will thank you for it.

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